U.S. patent application number 16/319508 was filed with the patent office on 2021-04-29 for device, method, and system for restraining an animal in a fixed position for a medical procedure.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE ROYAL INSTITUTION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING/MCGILL UNIVERSITY. The applicant listed for this patent is THE ROYAL INSTITUTION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING/MCGILL UNIVERSITY. Invention is credited to Axel MATHIEU, Natasha RAJAH.
Application Number | 20210121277 16/319508 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005330544 |
Filed Date | 2021-04-29 |
![](/patent/app/20210121277/US20210121277A1-20210429\US20210121277A1-2021042)
United States Patent
Application |
20210121277 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
RAJAH; Natasha ; et
al. |
April 29, 2021 |
DEVICE, METHOD, AND SYSTEM FOR RESTRAINING AN ANIMAL IN A FIXED
POSITION FOR A MEDICAL PROCEDURE
Abstract
A restraining device for an animal. A body having a base and two
spaced-apart walls define a cavity to receive the animal. At least
one pair of side restraining members is mounted to one of the walls
of the body. Each restraining member is displaceable away from the
wall and into the cavity to engage a side of the animal. An
overhead restraining member is mounted to the body above the base.
The overhead restraining member is displaceable toward and away
from the base to engage the animal. A tightening mechanism is
mounted to the body and has at least one rotatable rod. The first
end of the rod has a rotatable handle to rotate the rod and the
second end has a cam engaging one of the side restraining members.
The handle rotates the cam and displaces the side restraining
members into the cavity.
Inventors: |
RAJAH; Natasha; (Montreal,
CA) ; MATHIEU; Axel; (Montreal, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
THE ROYAL INSTITUTION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING/MCGILL
UNIVERSITY |
Montreal |
|
CA |
|
|
Assignee: |
THE ROYAL INSTITUTION FOR THE
ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING/MCGILL UNIVERSITY
Montreal
QC
|
Family ID: |
1000005330544 |
Appl. No.: |
16/319508 |
Filed: |
July 20, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
July 20, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CA2017/050872 |
371 Date: |
January 22, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62365626 |
Jul 22, 2016 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61D 2003/003 20130101;
A61D 2003/006 20130101; A61D 3/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61D 3/00 20060101
A61D003/00 |
Claims
1. A restraining device for an animal, the restraining device
comprising: a body having a base and two spaced-apart walls
extending upright from the base, the base and walls defining a
cavity extending along a length of the body to receive the animal
therein; at least one pair of side restraining members, each
restraining member of the at least one pair of side restraining
members being mounted to one of the walls of the body, each
restraining member being displaceable away from said wall and into
the cavity to engage a side of the animal; an overhead restraining
member mounted to the body above the base, the overhead restraining
member being displaceable toward and away from the base to engage
the animal; and a tightening mechanism mounted to the body and
having at least one rotatable rod extending between a first end and
a second end, the first end having a rotatable handle to rotate the
rod and the second end having a cam engaging one of the side
restraining members, the handle being rotatable to rotate the cam
and displace the side restraining members into the cavity to
restrain the animal.
2. The restraining device as defined in claim 1, wherein the at
least one rod is mounted adjacent to one of the walls of the body
and extends parallel to the length of the body.
3. The restraining device as defined in claim 2, wherein the handle
is located at a longitudinal end of the body.
4. The restraining device of claim 1, wherein the at least one rod
includes a first rod and a second rod, the first and second rods
being disposed within one of the walls of the body, each of the
first and second rods extending parallel to the length of the
body.
5. The restraining device as defined in claim 1, wherein the handle
has a locking mechanism to lock the handle in position.
6. The restraining device as defined in claim 5, wherein the
locking mechanism includes at least one slot in a longitudinal end
portion of the body and a tooth mounted on the handle, the handle
being rotatable to rotate the tooth and position it within the
slot.
7. The restraining device as defined in claim 1, further comprising
an animal support mountable on the base and displaceable with
respect to the base along the length of the body.
8. The restraining device as defined in claim 7, wherein the animal
support is raised from the base.
9. The restraining device as defined in claim 1, wherein the base
further includes a ridge extending outwardly from the base along at
least part of the length of the body, the ridge having an upper
ridge surface being vertically spaced apart from the base.
10. The restraining device as defined in claim 1, wherein the base
further includes at least one hole in the base.
11. The restraining device as defined in claim 1, further
comprising a cover mountable to the walls of the body over the base
thereof, the cover having at least one press member being
displaceable toward and away from the base to engage the animal
from above.
12. The restraining device as defined in claim 1, wherein at least
one of the walls of the body has an opening therein, at least one
of the side restraining members being positioned adjacent to the
opening and engaging the cam therethrough.
13. The restraining device as defined in claim 1, wherein the at
least one pair of side restraining members includes a first pair of
side restraining members and a second pair of side restraining
members, the side restraining members of the first and second pairs
of side restraining members being spaced apart along the length of
the body.
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. A method for restraining an animal in position, the method
comprising: placing the animal in a cavity of a restraining device;
displacing side restraining members of the restraining device into
the cavity to restrain the animal from each of its sides;
displacing an overhead restraining member of the restraining device
into the cavity to restrain the animal from above; and preventing
displacement of at least one of the side and overhead restraining
members to restrain the animal within the cavity.
17. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein displacing the side
restraining members includes displacing the side restraining
members from a front end of the device.
18. (canceled)
19. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein displacing the side
restraining members includes displacing the side restraining
members simultaneously.
20. (canceled)
21. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein preventing
displacement includes locking at least one of the side and overhead
restraining members in position.
22. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein placing the animal
in the cavity includes supporting the animal to raise its feet from
a base of the restraining device.
23. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein placing the animal
in the cavity includes placing the animal into the cavity while the
animal is awake, the method comprising performing a medical
procedure on the restrained animal.
24. (canceled)
25. A system for restraining an animal in a fixed position for a
medical imaging procedure, the system comprising: a medical imaging
device having imaging equipment and an imaging cavity to receive
the animal therein; and a restraining device for the animal, the
restraining device comprising: a body being insertable into the
imaging cavity, the body having a base and two spaced-apart walls
extending upright from the base, the base and walls defining a
cavity extending along a length of the body to receive the animal
therein; at least one pair of side restraining members, each
restraining member of the at least one pair of side restraining
members being mounted to one of the walls of the body, each
restraining member being displaceable away from said wall and into
the cavity to engage a side of the animal; an overhead restraining
member mounted to the body above the base, the overhead restraining
member being displaceable toward and away from the base to engage
the animal; and a tightening mechanism mounted to the body and
having at least one rotatable rod extending between a first end and
a second end, the first end having a rotatable handle to rotate the
rod and the second end having a cam engaging one of the side
restraining members, the handle being rotatable to rotate the cam
and displace the side restraining members into the cavity to
restrain the animal.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority of U.S. provisional
patent application No. 62/365,626 filed Jul. 22, 2016, the entire
contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to equipment for
medical imaging and/or surgery, and more particularly to a
restraining device for performing a medical procedure on an
animal.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Prior to conducting neuroimaging studies in humans, it is
important to validate experimental models and neuroimaging methods
in small animals, such as mice.
[0004] Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one popular neuroimaging
method used to study small animals. While it is possible to conduct
neuroimaging on small animals while they are anesthetized, it is
known that the study of some brain functions is incompatible with
anesthetized animals. It is also known that some anesthesia alter
brain activity measures obtained with MRI, making direct
measurement of brain activity challenging. Therefore, neuroimaging
must sometimes be performed on awake (i.e. non-anesthetized)
animals.
[0005] It can be difficult to accurately perform imaging on mice
and other small animals that are awake, because they are difficult
to keep still and become easily agitated and stressed. Stress and
motion effect brain activity and can have undesirable influences on
test results, and can generate unusable data due to too much
movement within the images.
[0006] Conventional systems for restraining awake small animals
during imaging are often too large or magnetic (thereby making them
unsuitable for use in an MRI machine), uncomfortable for the animal
(thereby making pain management necessary), or unnecessarily
invasive (such as surgically installed head post, for example).
SUMMARY
[0007] There is therefore provided a restraining device for an
animal, the restraining device comprising: a body having a base and
two spaced-apart walls extending upright from the base, the base
and walls defining a cavity extending along a length of the body to
receive the animal therein; at least one pair of side restraining
members, each restraining member of the at least one pair of side
restraining members being mounted to one of the walls of the body,
each restraining member being displaceable away from said wall and
into the cavity to engage a side of the animal; an overhead
restraining member mounted to the body above the base, the overhead
restraining member being displaceable toward and away from the base
to engage the animal; and a tightening mechanism mounted to the
body and having at least one rotatable rod extending between a
first end and a second end, the first end having a rotatable handle
to rotate the rod and the second end having a cam engaging one of
the side restraining members, the handle being rotatable to rotate
the cam and displace the side restraining members into the cavity
to restrain the animal.
[0008] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment, at least one
rod is mounted adjacent to one of the walls of the body and extends
parallel to the length of the body.
[0009] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment, the handle is
located at a longitudinal end of the body.
[0010] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment, the at least
one rod includes a first rod and a second rod, the first and second
rods being disposed within one of the walls of the body, each of
the first and second rods extending parallel to the length of the
body.
[0011] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment, the handle
has a locking mechanism to lock the handle in position.
[0012] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment, the locking
mechanism includes at least one slot in a longitudinal end portion
of the body and a tooth mounted on the handle, the handle being
rotatable to rotate the tooth and position it within the slot.
[0013] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment, the device
further comprises an animal support mountable on the base and
displaceable with respect to the base along the length of the
body.
[0014] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment, the animal
support is raised from the base.
[0015] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment, the base
further includes a ridge extending outwardly from the base along at
least part of the length of the body, the ridge having an upper
ridge surface being vertically spaced apart from the base.
[0016] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment, the base
further includes at least one hole of unrestricted size at least
partially the length of the body, the hole exposing or giving
unlimited access to below under the base.
[0017] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment, the device
further comprises a cover mountable to the walls of the body over
the base thereof, the cover having at least one press member being
displaceable toward and away from the base to engage the animal
from above.
[0018] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment, at least one
of the walls of the body has an opening therein, at least one of
the side restraining members being positioned adjacent to the
opening and engaging the cam therethrough.
[0019] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment, the at least
one pair of side restraining members includes a first pair of side
restraining members and a second pair of side restraining members,
the side restraining members of the first and second pairs of side
restraining members being spaced apart along the length of the
body.
[0020] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment, the device
further comprises an accessory mountable to a rear of the body.
[0021] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment, the device
further comprises a bite bar extending from at least one wall of
the body into the cavity.
[0022] There is also provided a method for restraining an animal in
position, the method comprising: placing the animal in a cavity of
a restraining device; displacing side restraining members of the
restraining device into the cavity to restrain the animal from each
of its sides; displacing an overhead restraining member of the
restraining device into the cavity to restrain the animal from
above; and preventing displacement of at least one of the side and
overhead restraining members to restrain the animal within the
cavity.
[0023] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment, displacing
the side restraining members includes displacing the side
restraining members from a front end of the device.
[0024] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment, displacing
the side restraining members includes displacing the side
restraining members from the back end of the device.
[0025] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment, displacing
the side restraining members includes displacing the side
restraining members simultaneously.
[0026] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment, displacing
the side restraining members includes displacing the side
restraining members independently of one another.
[0027] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment, preventing
displacement includes locking at least one of the side and overhead
restraining members in position.
[0028] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment, placing the
animal in the cavity includes supporting the animal to raise its
feet from a base of the restraining device.
[0029] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment, placing the
animal in the cavity includes placing the animal into the cavity
while the animal is awake.
[0030] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment, the method
further comprises performing a medical procedure on the restrained
animal.
[0031] There is further provided a system for restraining an animal
in a fixed position for a medical imaging procedure, the system
comprising: a medical imaging device having imaging equipment and
an imaging cavity to receive the animal therein; and a restraining
device for the animal, the restraining device comprising: a body
being insertable into the imaging cavity, the body having a base
and two spaced-apart walls extending upright from the base, the
base and walls defining a cavity extending along a length of the
body to receive the animal therein; at least one pair of side
restraining members, each restraining member of the at least one
pair of side restraining members being mounted to one of the walls
of the body, each restraining member being displaceable away from
said wall and into the cavity to engage a side of the animal; an
overhead restraining member mounted to the body above the base, the
overhead restraining member being displaceable toward and away from
the base to engage the animal; and a tightening mechanism mounted
to the body and having at least one rotatable rod extending between
a first end and a second end, the first end having a rotatable
handle to rotate the rod and the second end having a cam engaging
one of the side restraining members, the handle being rotatable to
rotate the cam and displace the side restraining members into the
cavity to restrain the animal.
[0032] There is further provided a method of conducting medical
imaging on an awake animal, the method comprising: placing the
awake animal in a cavity of a restraining device; displacing side
restraining plates of the restraining device into the cavity to
restrain the awake animal from each of its sides; displacing an
overhead restraining plate of the restraining device into the
cavity to restrain the awake animal from above; preventing
displacement of at least one of the side and overhead restraining
plates; and imaging the awake animal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings.
[0034] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a restraining device for an
animal, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0035] FIG. 2A is a partially sectioned view of the restraining
device of FIG. 1;
[0036] FIG. 2B is another partially sectioned view of the
restraining device of FIG. 1;
[0037] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a restraining device for an
animal, according to yet another embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0038] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the restraining device of
FIG. 3A;
[0039] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a restraining device for an
animal, according to yet another embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0040] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the restraining device of
FIG. 4A being dissembled;
[0041] FIG. 4C is a perspective view of a cover of the restraining
device of FIG. 4A;
[0042] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a restraining device for an
animal, according to yet another embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0043] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a bed for the restraining
device of FIG. 5A;
[0044] FIG. 5C is another perspective view of the restraining
device of FIG. 5A;
[0045] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the restraining device
of FIG. 1 and accessories to be used therewith, according to yet
another embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0046] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a restraining device for an
animal, according to yet another embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0047] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the restraining device of
FIG. 7A, having accessories to be used therewith;
[0048] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a system for restraining an
animal in a fixed position for a medical imaging procedure,
according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0049] FIG. 9A is a chart showing a respiration rate of an awake
mouse within a restraining device; and
[0050] FIGS. 9B-9D are charts showing movements of an animal within
axes of a restraining device.
[0051] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like
features are identified by like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0052] Referring to FIG. 1, there is disclosed a restraining device
10 for holding an animal 11 in a fixed position for a medical
procedure. The restraining device 10 helps to constrain or
eliminate the movement of some part, or all, of the animal 11
before, during and/or after the medical procedure. The restraining
device 10 is used to restrain the movement of an "awake" (i.e.
non-anesthetized) animal 11. The restraining device 10 can also be
used to restrain and/or position an anesthetized and/or deceased
animal 11. The restraining device 10 therefore helps to keep the
animal 11 in a fixed position.
[0053] The restraining device 10 (occasionally referred to herein
simply as "device 10") can be used to conduct any suitable medical
procedure. Some non-limitative examples of medical procedures
included in the present disclosure include imaging such as
neuroimaging, surgical procedures, body fluid sampling, behavioral
monitoring, and administration of medicinal compounds. Although
shown and described herein as a being used with a mouse, the device
10 can also be used with other small animals 11 such as rats. The
device 10 can also be scaled up for use with larger animals 11 such
as monkeys, and human infants or adults. The device 10 can be used
on its own, or combined with other accessories such that it can be
adapted to conventional medical equipment, as described in greater
detail below.
[0054] The device 10 has a body 20 for receiving the animal 11,
side restraining members 30 which constrain movement of the animal
11 from its sides, an overhead restraining member 40 which
constrains movement of the animal 11 from above, and a tightening
mechanism 50 which is manipulated by a technician using the device
10 to displace the restraining members 30 toward and away from the
animal 11.
[0055] Still referring to FIG. 1, the body 20 defines the corpus of
the device 10 and provides structure thereto. The body 20 is an
elongated object. In the depicted embodiment, the body 20 is longer
than it is wide. More particularly, the body 20 has a substantially
tubular shape. This particular configuration of the body 20 helps
it to fit within the bore of a medical imaging device, such as a
magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) machine, allowing the device 10
to be used with existing imaging systems. The body 20 is not,
however, limited to a tubular shape, and can take different forms
for flat surfaces such as, but not limited to, benchtops, counters,
cubicles, and shelves. In the depicted embodiment, the body 20
serves as a bed for supporting the animal 11 while it is being
imaged.
[0056] The body 20 has a base 21 portion upon which the animal 11
rests, and two spaced-apart walls 22 that extend upright from the
base 21. The opposed walls 22 face each other across the base 21
extend along a length. The space formed between the base 21 and the
walls 22 is a cavity 23 into which the animal 11 can be placed. The
cavity 23 is sized to receive the animal therein, and can thus
extend along some or all of the length of the body 20 and have a
longitudinal center line 24. For example, in the depicted
embodiment, the cavity 23 is sized and shaped to receive a mouse.
The cavity 23 can take other shapes and be of a different size than
the depicted embodiment so as to receive other animals. In the
depicted embodiment, the body 20 does not have an upper or top
wall, such that the cavity 23 is an open-top cavity 23. The body 20
having an open-top cavity 23 facilitates the loading of the animal
11 into the body 20, and its removal therefrom. In an alternate
embodiment described in greater detail below, the body 20 has a top
wall or cover that encloses the cavity 23. Such a closed-top body
20 provides additional restraint for the animal 11.
[0057] FIGS. 2A and 2B show the side restraining members 30 in
greater detail. Each side restraining member 30 is displaceable,
and is shaped and positioned to engage the animal substantially
along its sides so as to prevent it from moving laterally within
the cavity 23. In the depicted embodiment, the side restraining
members 30 are plates shaped and positioned to engage the head of
the animal (see FIG. 1). There can be any suitable number of side
restraining members 30 for accomplishing this functionality. In the
depicted embodiment, there is one pair of side restraining members
30. In an alternate embodiment described in greater detail below,
there are two or more pairs of side restraining members 30.
Although shown as a relatively thin piece of material, each side
restraining member 30 can take other forms provided that it can
comfortably engage the animal to restrain its movement within the
cavity 23. Examples of other suitable forms include blocs, straps,
strips, and string.
[0058] In the depicted embodiment, each side restraining member 30
has a substantially concave inner surface 31. This curved or angled
inner surface 31 approximates a rough side profile of the animal
against which the inner surface 31 with abut, thereby improving the
comfort of the animal during the medical procedure. It will be
appreciated that the inner surface 31 (i.e. the surface of the side
restraining member 30 which abuts directly against the animal) can
take other shapes as required. Together with the tightening
mechanism 50, the side restraining members 30 form a lever
mechanism which helps the technician to manually and quickly
restrain the movement of the animal.
[0059] Each side restraining member 30 is disposed opposite to, and
facing, its corresponding side restraining member 30 of the pair.
More particularly, each side restraining member 30 is disposed
adjacent to a corresponding wall 22 of the body 20. The cooperation
between each side restraining member 30 and the wall 22 in its
vicinity can vary. For example, in the depicted embodiment, each
wall 22 has an opening 22A therein which is covered by one of the
side restraining members 30. As will be described in greater detail
below, a rear portion of the side restraining member 30 engages
with a component of the tightening mechanism 50 via the opening 22A
in the wall 22. Each of the side restraining members 30 is
displaceable away from its corresponding wall 22 and into the
cavity 23 to engage the animal. Once the side restraining members
30 have engaged the animal by abutting against its sides, for
example, the side restraining members 30 constrain lateral or
sideways movement of the animal within the cavity 23. If the animal
is awake, and as explained in greater detail below, the side
restraining members 30 can be locked in position. In their default
position (i.e. when the animal is not in the cavity 23), the side
restraining members 23 can be biased toward the walls 22. In an
alternative default position, the side restraining members 23 can
be manually displaced with little effort by the technician to widen
the cavity 23.
[0060] The movement of the side restraining members 30 into and out
of the cavity 23 can take different forms. For example, the
movement of the side restraining members 30 into and out of the
cavity 23 can be coordinated, such that the movement of one side
restraining member 30 into/out of the cavity 23 is matched by the
movement of the other, opposite side restraining member 30 into/out
of the cavity 23. The two opposing side restraining members 30 are
therefore simultaneously moved into position together. This
coordinated movement of the side restraining members 30 helps to
position the animal within the cavity 23. More particularly, this
coordinated movement of the side restraining members 30 facilitates
the positioning and restraint of the animal along the longitudinal
center line 24 of the cavity 23. In this coordinated configuration,
the distance of one of the side restraining members 30 from the
longitudinal center line 24 at any given moment is the same as the
distance of the other side restraining member 30 from the
longitudinal center line 24. This coordinated movement of the side
restraining members 30 can be facilitated by mechanically linking
the side restraining members 30 together through the body 20, such
that movement of one of the side restraining members 30 causes an
equal but opposite movement of the other side restraining member
30.
[0061] Alternatively, and as shown in the depicted embodiment and
described in greater detail below, the movement of each of the side
restraining members 30 can be controlled separately. This fine
control of the movement of each side restraining member 30
facilitates the positioning of the animal within the cavity 23, for
example, off the longitudinal center line 24. This individual and
independent control of the side restraining members 30 can also
allow the technician to apply more pressure, and thus more
restraint, to a particular side of the animal.
[0062] Still referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the overhead restraining
member 40 constrains movement of the animal 11 from above. The
overhead restraining member 40 is mounted to the body 20 above the
base 21. The overhead restraining member 40 is thus engaged to the
body 20, which allows the animal 11 to be secured before loading
the animal into the medical imaging device or before performing the
medical procedure. Stated differently, the overhead restraining
member 40 helps to restrain the movement of the animal 11 from
above irrespective of the medical procedure being performed.
[0063] The distance between the overhead restraining member 40 and
the base 21 forms an opening into which a part of the animal can be
inserted in order to restrain its vertical movement. The overhead
restraining member 40 is therefore operable to engage any upper
part of the animal 11 including, but not limited to, its nose, its
head, and its back. The overhead restraining member 40 is
displaceable relative to the body 20, and more particularly,
vertically displaceable. The overhead restraining member 40
therefore acts as a vertically-displaceable upper restraining
member or object. In the embodiment where the movement of the head
of the animal is restrained (see FIG. 1), the overhead restraining
member 40 is positioned forward of the side restraining members 30
and acts as a nose press which presses down on the nose of the
animal to prevent it from raising or lowering its head. The
overhead restraining member 40 can also be used to suppress or
restrain vertical movement of another part of the animal. The
overhead restraining member 40 can also be locked in position,
which may be useful if the medical procedure is performed while the
animal is awake. The overhead restraining member 40 in the depicted
embodiment is a clamp which is locked into place with a locking
wedge 41 having the same vertical movement as the overhead
restraining member 40. The locking wedge 41 for the overhead
restraining member 40 can take different forms and directions of
movement provided it restrains the vertical movement of overhead
restraining member 40. Examples of other suitable mechanisms
include, but are not limited to, tape, string, and screws. The
overhead restraining member 40 and/or wedge 41 can include a
suitable handle which helps the technician to displace and/or lock
the overhead restraining member 40 in position.
[0064] The tightening mechanism 50 is manually operated by the
technician to displace the side restraining members 30 toward, and
optionally away from, the animal to thereby restrain the animal.
The tightening mechanism 50 therefore allows the technician to
quickly and easily restrain the animal to the extent required. The
tightening mechanism 50 has one or more rotatable rods 51 which
each rotate about a rod axis 52 and are mounted to the body 20. In
the depicted embodiment, the tightening mechanism 50 has two rods
51, each of which is engaged with a corresponding side restraining
member 30, and which are housed within elongated slots 25 in the
body 20. In an alternative embodiment where the movement of the
side restraining members 30 is coordinated, only one rod 51 is
required to displace both side restraining members 30 via a
suitable mechanical linkage.
[0065] Still referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, each rod 51 extends a
length between a first end 53 and an opposed second end 54. Each
rod 51 is mounted adjacent to the walls 22 of the body 20. More
particularly, each rod 51 is mounted within one of the wall 22 and
extends in a direction that is parallel to the length of the body
20, and parallel to the longitudinal center axis 24. The position
of the rods 51 along the walls 22 of the body 20 maintains a
narrow, "streamlined" body 20 which can thus more easily fit within
the narrow bore of an imaging machine, for example.
[0066] The first end 53 of the rod 51 has a rotatable handle 55
which is manipulated by the technician to rotate the rod 51. In the
depicted embodiment, the handle 55 attached to the first end 53 of
each rod 51 is positioned at a forward or front end of the body 20.
The position of the handle 55 at the forward or front end of the
body 20 maintains a narrow, "streamlined" body 20 which can thus
more easily fit within the narrow bore of an imaging machine, for
example. By being positioned at the forward or front end of the
body 20, the handle 55 is more easily accessed when it is inside an
imaging machine than if the handle 55 were on the side of the body
20. This configuration of the handles 55 contrasts with that of
some conventional restraining systems, which employ a perpendicular
mechanism near the head of the body and thus do not fit within the
narrow bore of an MRI machine.
[0067] The second end 54 of each rod 51 has a cam 56 attached or
integral with the second end 54, and engaging one of the side
restraining members 30. The cam 56 is any projection or protrusion
from the second end 54 that is rotatable about the rod axis 52. In
the depicted embodiment, each cam 56 makes sliding contact with a
rear surface of one of the side restraining members 30 via the
opening 22A in the wall 22 to displace the side restraining member
30 into the cavity 23. The cam 56 can thus be any object which
transforms the rotational input from the handles 55 into a
translational displacement of the side restraining members 30, and
is not limited to the depicted configuration. Similarly, the cam 56
may be positioned elsewhere along the rod 51, and is not limited to
being located at a distal extremity of the rod 51. Furthermore, the
cam 56 may be affixed to a corresponding one of the side
restraining members 30.
[0068] Each handle 55, and thus each rod 51, is rotatable. When the
technician rotates each handle 55 in one direction R1,R2, each cam
56 is rotated and engages the corresponding side restraining member
30 to displace it into the cavity 23 to restrain the animal.
Rotation of each handle 55 in this direction R1,R2 therefore leads
to restraining the movement of the animal. To remove the animal
from within the cavity 23, it may not be required to rotate the
handle 55 again. The side restraining members 30 can simply be
manually displaced by the technician to access the animal within
the cavity. Alternatively, in the embodiment where each cam 56 is
fixedly attached to a corresponding side restraining member 30,
rotation of each handle 55 in a direction opposite to the direction
R1,R2 will cause the side restraining members 30 to displace toward
the walls 22 and thus allow access to the animal. It can be
appreciated that the engaging rotation for the side restraining
members 30 can also be in opposite directions as in the depicted
embodiment and/or can both rotate in the same direction provided
that the motion results in the engagement of the side restraining
members 30 to restrain animal movement.
[0069] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the device 10
has a locking mechanism 60 to lock the side restraining members 30
in position when restraining the animal. The locking mechanism 60
may be used with awake animals, and may not be used when the device
10 is used to restrain anesthetized or deceased animals. The
locking mechanism 60 can take any suitable configuration to achieve
such functionality. For example, in one embodiment, the locking
mechanism 60 is integrated into each handle 55 and has a ratchet
allowing rotation of the handle 55 (and thus the cam 56) in the
direction R1,R2, while restricting rotation of the handle in an
opposite direction with a releasable pawl. In the depicted
embodiment, the locking mechanism 60 has a tooth 61 attached to
each handle 55 which can be rotated to fit into any one of a number
of slots 62 in a forward face of the body 20. With such a locking
mechanism 60, the technician can rotate each handle 55 in direction
R1,R2 to displace the side restraining members 30 into the cavity
23. When the animal is suitably restrained, the technician can
insert the tooth 61 of each handle 55 into the desired slot 62.
This will prevent further rotation of the handle 55, thereby
preventing the corresponding side restraining member 30 from being
displaced further. The movement of the awake animal is now
restrained in at least the lateral direction.
[0070] In the depicted embodiment, the device 10 also has a bite
bar 70 which extends from one or more of the walls 22 of the body
20 and into the cavity 23. The bite bar 70 is positioned and sized
for the animal to bite onto it. In the depicted embodiment, the
bite bar 70 is positioned forward of the side restraining members
30 and helps to properly position the head of the animal for
imaging, for example. The bite bar 70 may also assist in calming
the animal before and/or during the medical procedure. The bite bar
70 may not be used when the device 10 is used to restrain
anesthetized or deceased animals.
[0071] The device 10 may be used as follows. In order to restrain
an animal in the cavity 23, the animal is first placed into the
cavity 23 and encouraged to bite onto the bite bar 70. The
technician then rotates the handles 55 to rotate the cams 56 and
displace the side restraining members 30 into the cavity 23 until
they abut against the animal and apply enough pressure to restrain
its movements. The locking mechanism 60 can then be used to prevent
further displacement of the side restraining members 30. The
overhead restraining member 40 can then be pressed down via its
wedge 41 onto the nose of the animal, for example, and locked in
position so as to prevent vertical and lateral head movements. The
medical procedure (imaging, surgery, administering medical
compounds, etc.) can then be performed on the restrained and
properly positioned animal.
[0072] It can thus be appreciated that the lockable side
restraining members 30, along with the integrated bite bar 70 and a
lockable overhead restraining member 40 holding the awake animal's
head in a specific location, and successfully stop animal head
movements, even when the animal is trying to free itself and has
not previously been exposed to the device 10. The movement
restriction achieved is often sufficient for good quality image
acquisitions.
[0073] FIGS. 3A and 3B show another embodiment of the device 110.
The device 110 has a displaceable animal support 127 for supporting
the animal 11 and loading it into the cavity 123 of the device 110.
The animal support 127 includes a platform 127A mounted to the base
121 of the body 120. The animal 11 is placed in the platform 127A.
The platform 127A includes side wings 127B which engage opposed
sides of the animal 11 to further restrain it. The side wings 127B
are curved bodies. The base 121 in the depicted embodiment includes
a rail 127B on which the platform 127A is mounted. The platform
127A is displaceable along the rail 127B in a direction that is
parallel to the length of the body 120 and to the longitudinal
center axis 24. The animal support 127 therefore allows an animal
11 to be loaded thereon away from the body 120 and then displaced
into the body 120. The platform 127A is spaced above the surface of
the base 121 by the rail 127B. The animal 11 is therefore raised
from the base 121 when it is supported by the platform 127A. The
animal support 127 therefore facilitates raising the body of the
animal 11 from the base 121 such that the feet are positioned
comfortably on the platform 127A.
[0074] FIGS. 4A to 4C show another embodiment of the device 210.
Referring to FIG. 4B, the base 221 has a comfort ridge 227 or
projection that extends outwardly from the surface of the base 221
along at least part of the length of the body 220. The ridge 227
has an upper ridge surface 227A that is vertically spaced apart
from the remaining surface of the base 221. The ridge 227 is
therefore a raised bump. The animal 11 is therefore spaced from the
surface of the base 221 when the underside of the animal 11 is
resting on the upper ridge surface 227A. Leg slots 227B are
provided on either side of the ridge 227 between the ridge 227 and
one of the walls 222 of the body 220. Each leg slot 227B extends
along a length of the body 220 to accommodate the legs and feet of
the animal 11 when it is supported by the ridge 227. The ridge 227
and leg slots 227B facilitate raising the feet of the animal 11
from the base 221 such that the feet dangle in the leg slots 227B
and thus float above the base 221.
[0075] Referring to FIGS. 4A to 4C, the restraining device 210 has
a cover 229 to enclose the cavity 223 from above and form a
"closed-top" device 210. The cover 229 provides additional
restraint to the animal 11 when it is within the device 210. The
cover 229 is mounted to, and removed from, the walls 222 of the
body 220 over the base 221, as shown in FIG. 4A. Referring to FIGS.
4B and 4D, the cover 229 has one or more press members 232 which
are displaceable toward and away from the base 221 to engage the
animal 11 from above. In the depicted embodiment, each of the press
members 232 includes a handle 232A attached to a press plate 232B.
The handles 232A each extend through a separate opening 229B in the
cover 229. The user is able to manipulate the handles 232A to push
the press plates 232B downward to restrain the animal 11 within the
cover 229, and to raise the press plates 232B to free the animal
11. The press members 232 therefore provide additional options for
restraining the animal 11 from above.
[0076] Referring further to FIGS. 4A and 4B, one or more press
members 232 has a locking mechanism to restrain the motion of the
one or more press members 232 towards or away the base 221 so as to
restrain animal motion. In the depicted embodiment, the
displaceable motion of the one or more of the handles 232A towards
or away the base is accomplished by at least one perpendicular hole
232C with respect to the displaceable motion towards or away from
the base 221 within the press member handle 232A and a locking pin
232D placed within the perpendicular hole 232C.
[0077] The locking pin 232D for restraining the displaceable motion
the handle 232A can take different forms provided it restrains the
displaceable movement towards or away from the base 221. Examples
of other suitable mechanisms include, but are not limited to, tape,
string, and screws and may not require the perpendicular hole
232B.
[0078] FIGS. 5A to 5C show another embodiment of the device 510.
The device 510 has two pairs of side restraining members 530. A
first pair of the side restraining members 530A is spaced apart
from a second pair of side restraining members 530B along the
length of the body 520. The first and second pairs 530A,530B are
therefore operable to restrain the lateral motion of different
parts of the animal 11, such as the head and body of the animal 11.
The side restraining members 530 of the first pair 530A are
displaceable into the cavity 523 of the body 520 with a first pair
of handles 555A. The side restraining members 530 of the second
pair 530B are displaceable into the cavity 523 of the body 520 with
a second pair of handles 555B. The device 510 also includes a bed
527 for supporting the animal 11 thereon. The bed 527 can be
inserted into the cavity 523 to rest on the base 521. The bed 527
has a rear end 527A which is raised from a remainder of the bed
527. The raised rear end 527A provides space for a technician to
insert their finger into the space underneath the rear end 527A to
better manipulate the bed 527.
[0079] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the device 310 having
accessories to be used therewith. One of the accessories is a
benchtop bed 312 which can be quickly attached to the device 310 to
work with the animal 11 on a benchtop, for training purposes or
medical procedures and monitoring. Another one of the accessories
is an MRI arm/bed adaptor 314 which can be quickly attached to the
device 110 and fitted to a commercially-available and existing
arm/bed system within the imaging bore of the MRI machine. These
accessories allow for rapid animal loading into the bore of the MRI
machine using the currently available arm/bed systems distributed
with the MRI. These accessories can also be used with modular
accessories for benchtop applications.
[0080] FIGS. 7A and 7B show another embodiment of the device 410.
In FIG. 7A, the awake animal 11 is shown with its head restrained
in the device 410. In FIG. 7B, a coil accessory 414 for imaging is
added over the restrained animal 11 for training or transportation.
An additional body restraint 416 is provided for padding for better
animal compliance and comfort. The additional body restraint 416
can take other shapes and be made of other materials provided it
reduces the animal's body movement by limiting the available space
for the animal 11 to move. Examples of other suitable body
restraints include, but are not limited to, tape, string, and
covers or cushions made of soft padding, plastics, and/or gel.
[0081] FIG. 8 shows a system 300 for restraining an animal 11 in a
fixed position for a medical imaging procedure. The system 300 has
medical imaging device 360 with imaging equipment, in this
embodiment an animal MRI machine. The imaging equipment has an
imaging cavity 312, the bore of the MRI machine in this embodiment,
to receive the animal 11 therein. The system 300 also has a
restraining device 10,110,210, 310,410,510 such as any of the ones
described above. The system 300 also an MRI arm/bed adaptor
attached and fitted to a commercially-available and existing
arm/bed system.
[0082] FIGS. 9A to 9D are charts showing that the awake animal
breathing during scanning is stable. This may be indicative of
animal compliance with the device 10,110,210, 310,410,510, and was
obtained in this instance without training the animal with the
device 10,110,210,310,410,510 before measuring breathing. In FIG.
9A, the typical respiration rate of an awake untrained mouse within
the restraining device 10,110,210,310,410,510 is shown while
scanning under high field MRI scanning. The window shows 20 seconds
of a stable respiration rhythm of 135 breaths/min. Breathing
rhythms can be as low as 20 breaths/min under deep anesthesia and
well over 200 breaths/min for an awake stressed animal. FIGS. 9B to
9D show movement of the animal in different axes. Movement within
an image is evaluated by locating the center of gravity (CoG)
essentially identifying the center of the image content. Results
are in voxel coordinates reported relative to voxel size (Y-axis)
in any direction as shown in the title of each graph, versus time
(X-axis, images taken at every 3 seconds for 5 minutes). Most of
the movement is in the Y-direction representing Up-Down struggling
(see FIG. 9C) by the animal while scanning. However, the movement
is broadly acceptable for analysis in that movement never moves
outside of its voxel and does not shift the data unexpectedly.
FIGS. 9A to 9D therefore support the device 10,110,210,310,410,510
achieving animal compliance even without prior training, and that
movement during imaging can be within acceptable ranges.
[0083] The device 10,110,210,310,410,510 and its components can be
made of any suitable material. More particularly, the device
10,110,210,310,410,510 can be made of any material suitable for
medical imaging.
[0084] In light of the preceding, it can be appreciated that the
device 10,110,210,310,410,510 disclosed herein facilitates holding
an awake (i.e. non-anesthetized) animal in a fixed position for the
purposes of conducting medical procedure, such as neuroimaging with
MRI scans, on the animal.
[0085] The device 10,110,210,310,410,510 is also compatible with
various instruments on the market, and can be fitted to various MRI
instruments, CT scans, or other small bore imaging instruments.
This contrasts with some conventional restraining systems, which
are purpose built to be used with specific instruments. The device
10,110,210,310,410,510 can thus be used during any imaging modality
where a restrictive bore space is available, such as, but not
limited, to PET, SPECT, CT, and microscopy. Also, given the
restrictive nature of a conventional MRI bore, the device
10,110,210,310,410,510 can easily be expanded to larger animals and
additional desktop applications.
[0086] The device 10,110,210,310,410,510 also offers ease of
manipulation for the technician because the handles 55 and overhead
restraining member 40 for restraining the head are easily to use,
particularly when compared with some conventional systems using
screws.
[0087] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, there is also disclosed a
method for restraining the animal 11 in position. The method
includes placing the animal 11 in the cavity 23 of the restraining
device 10. The method includes displacing side restraining members
30 of the restraining device 10 into the cavity 23 to restrain the
animal 11 from each of its sides. The method includes displacing an
overhead restraining member 40 of the restraining device 10 into
the cavity 23 to restrain the animal 11 from above. The method also
includes preventing displacement of at least one of the side and
overhead restraining members 30,40 to restrain the animal 11 within
the cavity 23.
[0088] While the invention has been described with particular
reference to the illustrated embodiment, it will be understood that
numerous modifications thereto will appear to those skilled in the
art. Accordingly, the above description and accompanying drawings
should be taken as illustrative of the invention and not in a
limiting sense.
[0089] The above description is meant to be exemplary only, and one
skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the
embodiments described without departing from the scope of the
invention disclosed. Still other modifications which fall within
the scope of the present invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the art, in light of a review of this disclosure, and
such modifications are intended to fall within the appended
claims.
* * * * *